Backpackers/mountaineers cot

ABSTRACT

A backpacker/mountaineers cot lightweight enough to be carried in the backcountry using tools already employed for other purposes and carried by the user. The user is exchanging the use of foam or inflating sleeping pad and sleeping pad camp chair for a cot fabric and six cot legs. The user then incorporates the trekking poles, ice ax and internal frame backpack stays for the appropriate assembly of the cot.

BACKGROUND

This invention relates to a sleeping cot, lightweight enough to be usedby backpackers and mountaineers in lieu of the more commonly usedtherma-rest (inflatable pad) or the ridge rest (foam pad).

SPECIFICATION

1. Discussion of Prior Art

Currently in the sports of backpacking and mountaineering, the onlylightweight sleeping pads are the therma-rest and the ridge rest. Thesesleeping pads, although relatively comfortable, have some significantdisadvantages. For example: a therma-rest, while providing comfort andinsulation, can fail if the barrier is breached causing an air leak andleaving the user in the position of sleeping on cold, icy, rocky,uncomfortable ground. The ridge rest being the lighter of the two isless comfortable and provides less insulation.

Prior art has discussed the use of a backpack cot, i.e. U.S. Pat. No.5,590,825, where the cot is incorporated into the external framebackpack. The disadvantages of this idea are that you are basicallydoubling the weight of your backpack. In addition, you are removing thestorage capability of your pack for camping. You would have to displacethe entire contents of your pack in order to deploy your cot.Furthermore, the external frame required for this patent has greatlydecreased in popularity over the last two decades for many reasons andcurrent users of the external frame pack are not the target markets ofthis invention.

2. Objects and Advantages

The Backpacker/mountaineers cot will provide a lightweight, comfortableand firm flat sleeping surface regardless of the ground conditions. Thecot incorporates tools already in use by the backpacker/mountaineer andtherefore will have little effect on increasing the weight to becarried. Currently, many avid backpackers and mountaineers employ theuse of telescoping ski poles or trekking poles, an ice ax if the terraindemands it and an internal frame pack. By incorporating all optionlevels of the Hicks cot, you would be carrying the cot cloth and six 6inch legs. The trekking poles become the end stays of your cot. The iceax is your center stay and the side rails come from the main stays ofyour internal frame pack. In addition, several different brands ofinternal frame packs use a relatively similar main stay system, aconversion from existing mainstay design to a mainstay that can act asthe siderails of the cot can be manufactured to retrofit an individualcurrent pack allowing the owner to keep his/her original pack. Theconversion will match up the metal stay ends of the existing packrequirements with telescoping siderails of the cot. The retrofit willthen be made with varying sizes. The adjustable side rails andconversion could thus replace the existing mainstays. This full use ofexisting tools is called option 1.

When option 1 is not what the owner is interested in because he/she ishappy with their current pack or the owner cannot afford the new pack,an individual can use option 2. Option 2 requires the user to carry theside rails in addition to the cloth and the six 6 inch legs. Theincrease in weight would be relative to a backpacker adding a sleepingpad chair to his/her pack. Special note: the sleeping pad chair is apopular option for backpackers that uses four independent polesstretched over by nylon with pockets on each end to stuff the foamsleeping pad or inflatable sleeping pad. Then the user uses straps tocinch the chair into a sitting position. Option 2 would only require theuse of the ski poles and the ice ax. I will also note at this time thatthe backpacker/mountaineers cot will incorporate the use of fourindependent side rails and adjustable side straps so the user can usethe cot as a camp chair similar to the sleeping pad chair. The ice axconnections to the cot center legs will require a receiver for the pointof the ice ax and then a receiver for the shaft of the ice ax on theother end in order to accommodate different size ice axes. The endreceiver legs will be constructed as a trekking pole point receiver legand trekking pole handle receiver leg.

Option 3 is simply the backpacker option. When using option 3, the onlydual use incorporated is the use of the ski poles as the end stays. Astandard center stay is used in lieu of the ice ax. Of course, the usercould also elect to use the option four backpack, without the ice ax andstill be lightweight. The center stay will be the ice ax extender usedto extend the length of shorter ice axes in order for the ice ax to fitto the cot as a center stay. The ice ax extender will come in a lengththat is fitted to the size of the center cot main stay but can be cutdown by the user if he/she decides to use the ice ax center stay option.

Option 4 is simply an ultra light cot. It is not as light as a sleepingpad, but a perfect option for the packer looking for comfort. Option 4could have a secondary target market in the hunter who is looking forthe ultra light comfort, but with no need for the other options.

In addition, various cot cloths should be included in the options: alighter weight mesh for warmer environments, an insulated cot for coldweather and a standard nylon single layer cloth for normal conditions.

DESCRIPTION

The following descriptions refer to drawing pages 1 through 5. Each pagehas two drawings referenced as A and B. A and B refer to differentangles of the same subject matter. Existing products are not detailedhere, only the detail of the invention as it relates to those existingproducts.

Drawing page 1 is an overall look at the cot when it is assembled andthe position of all of the related material necessary to have the-cotassembled. FIG. 1 a is an above view of the cot. The cot fabric isstandard cut length and width of existing cots with sleeves down thelength of the cot to hold the side rails. There are four side rails forthe cot, each approximately ½ the length of the cot. The side rails willbe made to telescope in order to facilitate easier packing or adjust tothe use as a main stay of internal frame packs. At each end of each siderail is a lock button and lock similar to that used on umbrellas. Thislock secures the side rail to each of the six legs of the cot. At eachend of the cot are the trekking poles. These trekking poles are on themarket today and have a telescoping feature that would allow them to beused as the end stays of the cot. By reducing the trekking pole to theproper length, inserting them into the end legs and then tensioning thetrekking pole, the proper fit could be found. The center stay is madefrom the ice ax. If the ice ax is not used as a center stay, the ice axextender will be used as the center stay. The ice ax extender will comein a standard length so it functions as a center stay. The user can thencut down the extender to the proper length if they chose to use the iceax as a center stay. The position of the ice ax on the leg will be lowerdown so as not to interrupt the sleeping surface of the cot as shown inFIG. 1 b. In addition, an incline strap will be sewn into the cot inorder for the user to raise the cot into a camp chair position for usesother than sleep. The center leg will have a swivel screw in order forthis to occur. The detail of the legs that receive the ice ax, trekkingpoles and side rails are detailed in drawing pages 2 through 5.

Drawing page 2 refers to the end legs that receive the trekking poletip. There is a side view, 2 b, that shows approximate location of thepole tip receiver hole on the end legs. There will be two pole tipreceiver legs. One for each trekking pole. 2 a shows how the side railis received by the leg and how the side rail lock is situated. Alsonoted in 2 a is the rubber boot added to the end of each leg in order toreduce damage to the cot leg and the tent floor of the user. This rubberboot will also reduce slippage on slippery surfaces. FIG. 2 b is thesame leg as 2 a only rotated 90 degrees to show how the trekking poletip is received into the receiving leg. The tapered design of the polewill stop the advance of the pole through the leg beyond the tip. Thereis no locking mechanism for the tip of the pole because the pole will betensioned after insertion into the legs by its existing telescopingfeature. Drawing page 3 refers to the receiver legs that receive theother end of the trekking pole or the “trekking pole handle” receiverleg. Again as in drawing 2 a, the side rail receiver hole is shown as isthe side rail and associated locking mechanism. FIG. 3 a shows how thepole handle receiver cup is in position to the rest of the legcomponents. In FIG. 3 b which is the same as 3 a except turned 90degrees. The pole handle receiver cup shows the required concavity ofthe handle receiver leg. This is required so as the user tensions thetrekking pole and uses the cot, the pole will not slip out of position.Again, there is not a locking mechanism for the trekking pole becausethe tension of the telescoping pole and the receiver hole design of eachleg will lock the pole in place.

Drawing pages 4 and 5 refer to the center legs of the cot. There will beone of each type of center leg. One leg that receives the point of theice ax and one leg that receive the shaft of the ice ax. Drawing page 4refers to the center leg that receives the point of the ice ax. In FIG.4 a, the location of the ice ax receiver hole is below the side railreceiver hole. This is needed because the ice ax if positioned above theside rail, would interfere with the sleeping surface of the cot. Inaddition, the upper portion of the center leg is reserved for the swivelmotion of the cot incline feature. The FIG. 4 a shows the dotted linesto suggest the various positions of the side rail as it is adjusted withthe incline strap. The center of the side rail receiver hole will have aswivel screw that is free floating in the up and down motion. Thesiderail lock button and lock are again shown. FIG. 4 b is the same as 4a except turned 90 degrees to show how the ice ax point is received inrelation to the other components of the leg. The nature of an ice axpoint, which tapers out to the ice ax shaft, will allow this leg to notrequire a locking mechanism.

Drawing page 5 details the other center leg which receives the shaft andhead position of the ice ax as noted again in 5 a, the side railreceiver swivel screw and various possible incline positions. The shaftreceiver hole shows the required size of the hole and the locking screw,which would clamp down onto the ice ax shaft after it has been properlytensioned onto the cot. FIG. 5 b is the same as 5 a except turned 90degrees to show the receptor and relating position of the ice ax to thecenter leg.

Special note: Refer to drawing page 6. Ice axes come in various lengthsdepending on its intended use and the height of its user. Therefore, itmay be required to make an “ice ax point extender”. This extender wouldfit onto the point end of the ice ax, extending its length. There willbe a securing screw to hold the extender in place on the ice ax. Theextender will come in a standard length which after being sized by itsowner, will be cut down in order to save weight. This extender will comein a standard length that will serve as the center stay of the cot ifthe ice ax is not going to be used as a center stay by the user.

OPERATIONS

Needed for operations are the following:

1. Six ft. by 2½ ft. nylon cot fabric with incline strap.

2. Two pole point receiver legs

3. Two pole handle receiver legs.

4. One ice ax point receiver leg.

5. One ice ax shaft receiver leg.

6. Four telescoping siderails. (Adapted from internal frame backpackstays).

7. Ice ax

8. Ice ax extender. (center stay)

9. Two telescoping trekking poles.

The user will lay the cot fabric on the ground insert extended siderailsin sleeves. Insert siderails into all six legs and lock into place.Insert point of treking pole into leg and size so handle fits intoappropriate leg. Extend pole until tensioned and tighten downtelescoping screws of pole. Repeat for other end of cot. Insert ice axshaft through ice ax shaft receiver leg hole. Inset point of ice ax intoice ax point leg hole. If needed the ice ax extender can be added atthis point. Tension ice ax so cot becomes tight. Tighten ice leg screwon ice ax shaft. Cot is ready for use.

SUMMARY

The backpackers/mountaineers cot will be a great addition to anyone'sbackcountry experience. With the relative little difference in weight tobe carried, the backpacker could greatly increase his/her comfortregardless of ground conditions. By using tools already being used forother purposes the user is reducing overall weight while greatlyincreasing comfort. The parallels of equipment is as follows: The userhas trekking poles, ice ax, sleeping pad, sleeping pad camp chair andinternal frame backpack. The cot user will exchange the sleeping pad andchair for the cot fabric and six cot legs. By adapting the internalframe backpacking stays into the siderails of the cot and using thetrekking poles and ice ax as the end and center stays of the cot theuser will have the ultimate in efficiency and comfort in the backcountryenvironment.

1. A lightweight backpackers/mountaineers cot comprising a cot nylonfabric with siderail sleeves six cot legs; the two center legs beingconstructed to receive an ice ax as the center stay and four end legsconstructed to receive the trekking poles as end stays of the cot. Thesiderails telescoping in nature are adapted from the internal framebackpack stays. The siderails adjusted in length after removal from theinternal frame backpack slid into the sidesleevs of the cot fabric. Thesiderails then are locked into the cot legs at the designated siderailreceiver holes. The trekking poles are then adjusted from the trekkingposition length to the length that is appropriate for the end stays ofthe cot. The trekking poles are then fitted to the point of cotfunction. The ice ax is then fitted to the center legs and tightened tothe proper tension and locked into place with the center leg ice axshaft tightening screw. The six legs are specific for the reception ofthe particular end and center stay. There are two end legs that aredesigned to receive the point of the trekking pole and two legs designedto receive the handle of the trekking poles. There is one center legdesigned to receive the point of the ice ax and one center leg designedto receive the shaft of the ice ax. The center legs are also designedwith a swivel bolt attached to the siderail receiver that allows theinclination of the cot to be adjusted by the user from lying to sittingposition. In addition, there is an ice ax extender the allows the userto extend the length of their ice ax to the appropriate size in order toproperly fit the cot for use. The ice ax extender has a locking screwthat will lock the extender to the ice ax for cot use.